Tangled in Divine(Divine Creek Ranch 14)(57)
“It’ll give me plenty of time to plan my next move. And I’ve done this work practically all my life. I feel confident I can handle whatever needs to be done.”
“All right. I’d be happy to take you out on the four-wheeler and show you the place if you’d like, or you’re welcome to saddle Tutti and let her show you around.”
“I’d like that. I understand that you’re thinking about joining your daughter in South America on a more permanent basis.”
Mr. Wilson smiled. “Yeah. The missionary group that she’s with builds hospitals and I’m a jack-of-all-trades. I’d like to spend time with her while I’m still in good health and able to get around. You wouldn’t by chance be in the market for one hundred acres of pure heaven, now would you?”
Gwen chuckled. “That good, huh?”
Mr. Wilson grinned. “Tell you what. Just file that away for consideration and take a look around the place. I’d love to sell to someone who understands what ranch life is like and has it in their blood.”
“What about the Cooks next door?”
Mr. Wilson shook his head. “Nobody else I’d rather sell to. The Cooks are good people but Del isn’t ready to expand his acreage. He’s got a lot of work left to do on his place. Of course he could change his mind,” he added with a little twinkle in his eyes. “When can you start?”
“Now.” No time like the present.
Mr. Wilson looked pleased with her immediate response. “Well, all right! Caughlin McIntyre said you were one to take the initiative. You can bring your stuff over anytime you want.”
She pointed at her horse trailer and explained that pretty much everything she owned was packed inside it.
He walked over to the trailer and looked at it critically then turned to her. “I’m curious but not gonna pry, because McIntyre told me you were a national champion with an impeccable reputation.” He squatted down and looked more closely. “Some of these floorboards look like they’re rotting out. Were you planning on using this on the circuit this year?”
“I don’t have a choice.”
Mr. Wilson stood and looked at her sympathetically as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. “What will you do for a horse?”
“I’ll figure something out.”
He looked away and she thought she saw indignation in his eyes. “Your family just sent you back out on the road, when you’re supposed to be retired from that life?”
Gwen shrugged. “No choice. I’ve been on the circuit ten years. One more is no big deal.”
His brow furrowed like he disagreed with her assessment. “Your horse?”
“I’m getting her back somehow.”
“Probably not in time for March though.”
“I’ll be talking to Caughlin McIntyre to see if he can help me out.”
“I hope so. Seems like a good man.”
“He is.”
As though realizing he’d been prying, Mr. Wilson took a deep breath and sighed. “You’re welcome to whatever tools you need in the barn, if you want to unload the trailer and work on it. One of the guest bedrooms is already set up for you. You’re welcome to stay here from tonight on if you’d like, or you can take over the house next Monday.”
“You’ll be leaving that soon?”
Mr. Wilson gave her a sideways grin. “I reckon this ranch is in good hands. Where you staying right now? And please don’t tell me in the bunk space of this trailer.”
Gwen turned her gaze in the direction of the ranch next door and said, “I’ve been just next door at the Cooks’ since Christmas Eve.”
“Oh, are you friends with Del, Lily, and Clay?” He phrased it matter-of-factly, as though he understood that they were a threesome.
“Yes, but I’m actually staying with Julián Alvarez and Chris Potter, their ranch hands. I’ve known Julián for several years.”
Mr. Wilson nodded. “Oh yeah, that’s right. He was on the circuit for a while. I’ll tell you what—that young man knows horses too. They both do. You could do a whole helluva lot worse than those men. I’ll leave it to you to determine where you stay until New Year’s day. After then, I’ll want you here to keep an eye on things.”
“Of course. Would it be all right if I come over early Monday morning?”
“Sure. You’re welcome to have any company you want but no wild partying, okay?” he said with a twinkle in his eyes, letting her know he was kidding.
She snapped her fingers and winked. “No beer bong. Okay.”
They walked over to her truck and he directed her in backing it into the barn next to another stainless steel horse trailer. After everything was secured, she followed him through the barn and a yearning came over her when she heard Tutti nicker. To feel the wind in her hair and her boots in stirrups might stir up all kinds of other emotions, but she needed it right then.